Much of our superb Australian literary talent lies within children's literature - fortunately for us all!
To give you even greater insight into some of last year's winners and shortlisted finalists, here are some bite-sized treats about them to indulge in which, unlike other treats to be had at this time of year, won't leave you feeling overweight and guilt-ridden. Enjoy!
How do you get started every day?
I try
to treat writing like any other job: once the kids are off to school and
preschool, I'm in my writing room at my desk trying to get some words onto the
page.
 |
| Claire Zorn |
A nice hot, juicy cup of tea
and a walk through the garden in my nighty to feed the ducks and chooks.
Sometimes I'm still in the garden (in my nighty) hours later.
Where do you like to write?
 |
| Glenda Millard |
My favourite place to write
is in a little cottage built in 1860 in Maldon, Australia's First Noteable
Town. But I can write just about anywhere. I wrote the first draft of my
most recent picture book in a public library in Bendigo, Victoria and finished
it in Manning Art Gallery in NSW.
I have a big oak desk heavier than god. All my
cats fit on it.
 |
| Dianne Touchell |
I have a desk looking out the front window on the
street. Day after day, Alfie (my, I’m talking about dogs a lot today) scares
the postman delivering mail. Day after day do I hurriedly leave my work, run
outside and apologise. There’s some kind of comfort in the certainty of that.
Some of the world’s best known authors have writing rituals and superstitions they observe. What are yours?
 |
| Wendy Orr |
The
verse sections of The Dragonfly Song
and the current work in progress had to be written by hand, to the music of
Sigur Ros, in notebook with thick, unlined pages.
I love rituals and superstitions. The most
interesting people seem to have them. I should get some.
Which was your favourite book of 2017 and why?
 |
| Janet A Holmes |
Georgia Blain’s Between
a Wolf and a Dog (it was published in 2016 but I didn’t read it until this
year)
The
characters seemed like people I could know living a life that could be mine. It
all felt so credible and heartbreakingly real without being overly dramatic or
at all sentimental. I also greatly admired the sense of place. I now want to
read all her other books too.
I loved the middle grade novel How to Bee by Bren MacDibble. It’s sweet, poignant and has a strong
and awesome female protagonist who you really cheer for.
 |
| Tasmin Janu |
Sorry, this book was
published in 2012, but I only discovered it in 2017 and I have to make it my
favourite: Aristotle and Dante discover
the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz. I love it because it
is a book about teenage boys and while it doesn't shy away from the turmoil,
angst and uncertainty of young men, it is tender, beautiful, gentle and
moving - unlike so many books for and about teenagers.
For Judges’ details, click here.
For Judges’ details, click here.
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Prime Minister’s Literary Awards online:
